Filming gets road closures OK

Friday

CLINTON - The scene was set, with the cast in place, but the script was not complete.

Wednesday night’s scene was not the drama that typically brings viewers and ratings, though the Board of Selectmen’s meeting was once again being broadcast.

The characters discussed the impact of the road closings needed for "Castle Rock" filming, but the episode was not filled with too much drama. Selectmen and three representatives from the Hulu program discussed production plans and road closings, including compensation for businesses affected, as well as impacts on the town and buses as school is about to start.

While filming has gone on, mainly in the Depot Square area, "Castle Rock" is finishing its work.

“We’re on our last two episodes, so it will be our last time in Clinton,” location manager Joe Stargenski said.

Selectmen approved the road closing plans, affecting parts of Main Street and Sterling and Water streets at times.

While selectmen had concerns about the closures of Main Street while filming continues, they ultimately voted to allow more closures, provided any changes from the schedule go through town officials.

Selectmen also offered some suggestions on working with locals businesses affected by the interruptions.

But the closing are mostly short, production representatives said, with three-minute filming sequences.

That will change Aug. 28 to 30, when more detailed scenes will be shot, including a vehicle collision scene, and production schedules will have to be more flexible.

That time frame is also of more concern as school starts Aug. 28.

Although morning routes will not be affected, Marc Meets, key assistant location manager, said there would be closures in the afternoons of those days.

They worked with Superintendent of Schools Steven Meyer as well as Town Administrator Michael Ward and police chief Mark Laverdure.

Meyer said a bus company representative was included in the meeting and worked with them on which routes would be most impacted and areas the buses would have issues with.

Selectmen acknowledged there is no formal policy on the process for filming and moved to draft something to give guidance in the future.

The production company is working with business owners affected and has compensation agreements with most. They said they are still working with some, and Selectmen Chairman Bill Connelly Jr. said they should not be held hostage for unreasonable compensation. Some of the payments were similar to agreements when the company first filmed in March.

“It is still an inconvenience” to businesses and residents, Connolly said, “and we request you honor your commitment to local businesses.”

He also suggested they could contribute to the community as “a show of good faith.”

“Even when we’re not shooting, we put a lot into the community,” production manager Justin Moritt said. That includes shopping at location businesses such as coffee shops and even grocery stores.

Meyer said he estimated the fees for use of school lots for crews and equipment parking would bring “over $40,000 in rental fees to the facilities revolving account for things at the middle school.”

Most of the closures will continue to be “soft closures,” with traffic able to access Main Street up to the Wrong Way Cafe, and full closures being from there to Depot Square, Meets said. “The roads have been more open than closed,” he said. “It’s challenging for all involved.”

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